Waiting For The Moon
Chapter 3
Nayru: (looking at the second chapter, shreds it) Okay, I admit, the last chapter was total crap. I wanted to get it up quickly because the inspiration was there, but I didn't have the organization in order. It ended up sort of a mish-mash, so I'm going to try and correct it in this chapter. This story went on hold after a very harsh flame from someone with more experience and talent than myself. (turns to the reviewer) Fanfiction.net is not a place to give out grades. It's to criticize to improve and not to entirely redo. Please do not act like a teacher. If you don't like it, don't read it. With that said, I am going to make an attempt to reimburse for the last chapter with a good finish to this part of the tale and try to make clear the main points from the last chapter.
Disclaimer: Slayers is still not mine. I don't know why anything would change, but it never will be mine. Of course, Itai, Atsui, and the Dark Lord are mine. And they are evil.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lina snapped awake. She clutched her head weakly and staggered to the window. She stared out of it blankly. "Was it all just a nightmare?" She wondered, reviewing the events of her dream. Her mind had again been reviewing the time that passed over a few months that had left her a bit scarred. Everytime she awoke, she wondered why she had acted so different, so out of it. Everyone had been acting unlike themselves. She stared outside at the rain-soaked ground. Her mind began to review the events of that terrible night that she'd been stuck dreaming about since it happened four months before. She ordered it out: She thought she was pregnant, a month later she and Gourry were married; Xelloss was not in attendance (she made a note of that), somebody poisoned the punch, she grew ill, Amelia became ill at the same time, she lost her son, and Amelia was discovered to have some sort of curse-related disease. Her head had been spinning during those few days, and memories of things that had happened to her friends spun in with it as well. Now Amelia was nearing full term and had been bedridden. Lina's temper had been flaring towards Gourry a good bit recently, but she had no idea why. Perhaps to make up for the time she hadn't wanted to hurt anybody. She hadn't even seen Zelgadis in a few weeks, as he'd been locked away in a tower of Sailune castle searching feverishly and restlessly for a cure.
As she slid downstairs, she noticed Gourry reading a letter. "Morning, Lina." He smiled cheerfully as usual.
Dully, Lina looked at the letter. "You can read, Gourry?" She murmured jokingly.
"Yep! It's from Zelgadis. He couldn't come get us himself, he's still busy researching, but he's invited us up to the library he's locked away in tonight to discuss his findings.He's invited everyone else as well, but he's locking the doors after 9 whether we're there or not. Apparently, it's top secret." Gourry reread it. "If it's so important he's actually going to tell us what he's going to do, it's gotta be big." Lina frowned.
"Let me see that, Gourry." She took the letter from him. "Yeah, judging from the mess he made in his handwriting, it's urgent." She folded the letter and put it down. "Can we talk?"
"About what?" Gourry responded, chomping on his toast.
"Babies." Lina stated, and Gourry almost spit it out.
"I didn't think you'd want to.... Lina...."
"Gourry, it's time we stopped avoiding the subject." Lina sternly stared at Gourry. "We've mourned long enough. It's time we started trying again."
"Lina, what if it's not meant to be?" Gourry tried to think of excuses for not doing something Lina had used before. "Maybe there's a danger that'll interrupt us, we can't get caught in a situation like that!"
"Nice try. Please, Gourry, don't deny me this." Lina patted Gourry's head. "We'll start again tomorrow."
"Ah, crap." He sighed.
Meanwhile, in a cottage not too far off,
"XELLOSS METALLIUM, IT'S PAST ELEVEN O CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND YOU HAVE BEEN GONE SINCE SEVEN O CLOCK LAST NIGHT!" Filia shouted. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN FOR THE PAST SIXTEEN HOURS!" Xelloss shrunk, not grinning. His wife was standing over him with a mace, angry beyond belief. "You continually vanish for no obvious reason. NOW TELL ME! Where are you running off to?!"
"Ah.... Mazoku business?" He mumbled nervously. "Filia, there's something bad coming. A strange evil has been discovered, someone calling himself 'Dark Lord'. He lusts for power. Zellas requested that I spy on his movements. It seems he's targeting Lina. He has two associates, one specializing in capture and torture, the other in tricking people. They're both masters of disguise. They're the ones who attacked Lina at her wedding. They want to kill us all for some reason. Please, try to understand, darling... I'm not chasing those fools throughout the countryside because I /want/ to. I /have/ to. I fear that you and Kinsei are in danger too." Filia sighed.
"If you say so. But, but, but..."
"It's okay, Filia. Totally alright, no matter what, Kinsei will survive the impending doom. Unfortunately...." Xelloss sighed. "I'm not sure about everyone else. Anyway, we will be in attendance of the meeting at the palace tonight. Zel's been assisting me a bit, and vice versa. I did sort of tip him off on one of the answers." Xelloss grinned proudly. "I'm a goooooood Namagomi. What does that mean, anyway?"
"Well, basically, it means trash, or kitchen waste." Filia giggled. "But in our case, I think it means 'I love you'." They both laughed. "I forgive you, Xelloss.... namagomi." They laughed again.
At the castle, Martina and Nahga were discussing royalty business. Nahga hadn't visited Sailune since her marriage to Prince Aristoriat of Panderan five years before. The products of their marriage sat before them in tunics, shorts, and boots, like little elves. Obedient boys and princes nonetheless. One had purple eyes and curly black hair framing his face, similar to Nahga, and the other had large hazel eyes and tannish hair stroked behind his ears; a perfect duplicate of his father. Elijah sat in front of them, playing with the purple haired boy's curls.
"Cute! Cute! Cute!" She giggled. She was nearing three, the boys were a little over four.
"Stawpit!" The boy yelled, bad temperedly. He pouted, folding his arms.
"Akhino, mommy is talking with the nice lady, shush." Nahga chided him.
"Elijah, why don't you play with Noko?" Martina suggested.
"Kay, mama!" She looked at the other boy. "CUTE!" She "octopussed" around him.
"Need.... air!" He giggled, and glomped her.
"Look, they get along so well." Nahga gestured. "Plus, wouldn't it end all this fighting between our countries? My eldest and your eldest?"
"Not right now, no!" Martina cried.
"No, as in later. When they're nearly grown." Nahga laughed.
"Well, of course. But we won't force it on them. Let them be friends." The women watched as Noko and Elijah began to play with a big ball, and smiled happily. "They're perfect."
Late that night, figures in entirely black cloaks slipped up to the castle. They didn't remove them until they reached a private library and parlor in the north wing in a tall tower. Zel stared at them impatiently.
"It's 9:01. You're all late." Lina, Gourry, Martina, Zangulus, Xelloss, Filia, Kinsei, and Elijah all took off their hoods and grinned sheepishly. Zelgadis locked the door. "How can you all be so bubbly when Amelia's in labor upstairs?!" He looked frustrated. "I need help here." He sunk down at his desk. Xelloss put a hand on Zel's shoulder.
"I'll show them what you've found, go join your wife." Zel sighed.
"Fine. Give them the straight facts." Zelgadis swept out hurriedly, obviously seeing the birth of his son as something of greater urgency than his friends. They all understood; Lina snorted, Xelloss smiled pleasantly, Filia sweatdropped, Martina and Zangulus were indifferent, and Gourry, Elijah, and Kinsei were absolutely clueless. The usual reactions, the expected ones.
"Anyway!" Xelloss chirped. "Zelgadis and I have done a good bit of research on Chimeras. It turns out that far up north, a four month trip by horse, there's some type of fairy spring. It's got fantastic powers, and only those with the purest intentions can ever find it." He looked up from the book at the group. "Healing your wife from a slow-killing disease is a pure intention, right?" The group unanimously nodded, except for two-year- old Kinsei, who simply yawned, eight-thirty being her usual bedtime. Filia rubbed Kinsei's head. "He'll be gone for a very long time: four months there, about 800,000 kilometers, four months back, same distance, with shortcuts included. Without shortcuts, it's an extra three weeks. It's almost the other side of the world." Everyone blinked. Lina finally sighed.
"Guys, over my lifetime I've travelled three times the world over. There was no fairy spring other than the eight known ones."
"You have to actually be looking for this one." Xelloss whispered eagerly, eyes alight. He obviously had a thing for fairies. "I've visited over 30 fairy springs, and you can't just run into them all. I've never had a reason to go to this one, but Zelgadis begged me to go alone. Of course, he's not going for a good while. He wants to spend time with his son first." Everyone nodded, consenting. "He'll need you bunch to take care of Amelia." Everyone consented again, excepting Elijah and Kinsei; Kinsei had gone dragon-form and curled up in a little ball, and Elijah was curled up against her, both asleep. "I hope Zelgadis takes advantage of the opportunity and undoes his chimera form. That heal-all spring water really does heal all." Xelloss smiled. "It'll be like a whole new Zel."
"I think I'll miss ol' rockface." Martina joked. Everyone but Gourry, Kinsei, and Elijah sweatdropped. Gourry had joined Kinsei and Elijah on the floor, and was sucking his thumb happily. Lina looked at Gourry, and kicked him awake.
"Stupid... " She grumbled as Gourry rolled over. "Well, we should go visit Amelia and Zel now." The entire group nodded, and Filia and Martina picked up their daughters and walked out.
Lina dragged Gourry up the stairs into the room where they knew Amelia would be. Lina had visited that lonely little apartment for two hours a day every day since she'd started bed-rest. Lina knew where every single thing was, as Lina would assist her whenever she needed something. Philionel had put her on various fatigue medicines: the last thing Lina would ever think Amelia would need. She stepped into the room, and was hit by the usual scent of strong herbs and warm mildew. A slight whiff of blood caught Lina's nose, making her shudder. Amelia seemed drugged, her hands folded across her chest. Zelgadis was holding a bundle of white blanket. A bit of light blue and purple peered out of a fold in the blanket. Filia held in a squeal and half attacked Zel for the blanket. He quickly passed it to her. Filia held up the baby. It was a little boy, with chimera skin, and wiry midnight blue hair. His eyes were wide, curious. He looked at each of the group in turn, and started crying. Zel panicked and grabbed the baby back.
"Don't, he's just a little baby!" He cuddled his son close to him. "Alionel is too weak to be held like that."
"Alionel?" Martina snickered. "Like PHILIONEL?" Zangulus joined her, snickering. Zel would have flushed, but he had more dignity than that.
"Amelia picked it last night... I just think that it's suitable that he's named after his grandfather and not mine. My grandfather was a disappointment." Zel narrowed his eyes, but smiled as he nestled his son on Amelia's chest. He kissed Amelia on the forehead.
"How cute..." Lina gushed suddenly. "He's perfect." Gourry smiled and nodded.
"He does look just like you, Zel." Xelloss simpered.
"I hate that." Zel sighed, touching one of the purple pebbles that dotted his son's face. "If there were one thing I could change..."
"He's perfect as he was made, Zel." Filia stated. "People are made as they are for a reason."
"If you say so... You guys oughta go. Ame and Alin need to rest." Zel smiled. "Say goodbye, Amelia."
Weakly, Amelia waved to the group. She'd just been lying there dazed, but was holding Alionel gently. She smiled too, and Zelgadis kissed her. The group all whispered their goodbyes, and filed out quietly.
When Gourry and Lina arrived home, the first thing they did was turn and look at each other, smiling.
"I love you, Lina Inverse-Gabriev."
"I love you, Gourry Gabriev."
"I love you more."
"Prove it." Lina stuck out her tongue.
"I'll meet you upstairs." He winked, and kissed her forehead. He walked up the stairs, and Lina went out to the porch. She stood on the sturdy wood of the porch, remembering how Gourry had poured himself into building it. She stared at the world around her, thinking of how everything had to be built up to make it right. She'd have to pour herself into her goal to make it work right. She stared up at the stars, thinking of the day she and Gourry first met, and added to her previous thought, a little luck always helps too. "Build it up and a little luck. Yeah." Clouds shifted, covering the moon. "Well, I guess I'll wait for the moon to uncover. That's always good luck." And she stayed outside all night, but the moon never uncovered. But every night, she'd wait for the moon. Even if it took her forever.
END TRILOGY SECTION 2
Nayru: I hope that was a nice enough recovery.
Xiao: Yeah, we do too.
Nayru: Anyway, expect "Last Tide" to be up in a week or so, when I type it. No flames this time, I really tried hard.
Ran-ran: Suuuure ya did.
Nayru: Review nicely, everyone!
Xiao: Peaceout wid da catlike, minna-san!
Chapter 3
Nayru: (looking at the second chapter, shreds it) Okay, I admit, the last chapter was total crap. I wanted to get it up quickly because the inspiration was there, but I didn't have the organization in order. It ended up sort of a mish-mash, so I'm going to try and correct it in this chapter. This story went on hold after a very harsh flame from someone with more experience and talent than myself. (turns to the reviewer) Fanfiction.net is not a place to give out grades. It's to criticize to improve and not to entirely redo. Please do not act like a teacher. If you don't like it, don't read it. With that said, I am going to make an attempt to reimburse for the last chapter with a good finish to this part of the tale and try to make clear the main points from the last chapter.
Disclaimer: Slayers is still not mine. I don't know why anything would change, but it never will be mine. Of course, Itai, Atsui, and the Dark Lord are mine. And they are evil.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lina snapped awake. She clutched her head weakly and staggered to the window. She stared out of it blankly. "Was it all just a nightmare?" She wondered, reviewing the events of her dream. Her mind had again been reviewing the time that passed over a few months that had left her a bit scarred. Everytime she awoke, she wondered why she had acted so different, so out of it. Everyone had been acting unlike themselves. She stared outside at the rain-soaked ground. Her mind began to review the events of that terrible night that she'd been stuck dreaming about since it happened four months before. She ordered it out: She thought she was pregnant, a month later she and Gourry were married; Xelloss was not in attendance (she made a note of that), somebody poisoned the punch, she grew ill, Amelia became ill at the same time, she lost her son, and Amelia was discovered to have some sort of curse-related disease. Her head had been spinning during those few days, and memories of things that had happened to her friends spun in with it as well. Now Amelia was nearing full term and had been bedridden. Lina's temper had been flaring towards Gourry a good bit recently, but she had no idea why. Perhaps to make up for the time she hadn't wanted to hurt anybody. She hadn't even seen Zelgadis in a few weeks, as he'd been locked away in a tower of Sailune castle searching feverishly and restlessly for a cure.
As she slid downstairs, she noticed Gourry reading a letter. "Morning, Lina." He smiled cheerfully as usual.
Dully, Lina looked at the letter. "You can read, Gourry?" She murmured jokingly.
"Yep! It's from Zelgadis. He couldn't come get us himself, he's still busy researching, but he's invited us up to the library he's locked away in tonight to discuss his findings.He's invited everyone else as well, but he's locking the doors after 9 whether we're there or not. Apparently, it's top secret." Gourry reread it. "If it's so important he's actually going to tell us what he's going to do, it's gotta be big." Lina frowned.
"Let me see that, Gourry." She took the letter from him. "Yeah, judging from the mess he made in his handwriting, it's urgent." She folded the letter and put it down. "Can we talk?"
"About what?" Gourry responded, chomping on his toast.
"Babies." Lina stated, and Gourry almost spit it out.
"I didn't think you'd want to.... Lina...."
"Gourry, it's time we stopped avoiding the subject." Lina sternly stared at Gourry. "We've mourned long enough. It's time we started trying again."
"Lina, what if it's not meant to be?" Gourry tried to think of excuses for not doing something Lina had used before. "Maybe there's a danger that'll interrupt us, we can't get caught in a situation like that!"
"Nice try. Please, Gourry, don't deny me this." Lina patted Gourry's head. "We'll start again tomorrow."
"Ah, crap." He sighed.
Meanwhile, in a cottage not too far off,
"XELLOSS METALLIUM, IT'S PAST ELEVEN O CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND YOU HAVE BEEN GONE SINCE SEVEN O CLOCK LAST NIGHT!" Filia shouted. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN FOR THE PAST SIXTEEN HOURS!" Xelloss shrunk, not grinning. His wife was standing over him with a mace, angry beyond belief. "You continually vanish for no obvious reason. NOW TELL ME! Where are you running off to?!"
"Ah.... Mazoku business?" He mumbled nervously. "Filia, there's something bad coming. A strange evil has been discovered, someone calling himself 'Dark Lord'. He lusts for power. Zellas requested that I spy on his movements. It seems he's targeting Lina. He has two associates, one specializing in capture and torture, the other in tricking people. They're both masters of disguise. They're the ones who attacked Lina at her wedding. They want to kill us all for some reason. Please, try to understand, darling... I'm not chasing those fools throughout the countryside because I /want/ to. I /have/ to. I fear that you and Kinsei are in danger too." Filia sighed.
"If you say so. But, but, but..."
"It's okay, Filia. Totally alright, no matter what, Kinsei will survive the impending doom. Unfortunately...." Xelloss sighed. "I'm not sure about everyone else. Anyway, we will be in attendance of the meeting at the palace tonight. Zel's been assisting me a bit, and vice versa. I did sort of tip him off on one of the answers." Xelloss grinned proudly. "I'm a goooooood Namagomi. What does that mean, anyway?"
"Well, basically, it means trash, or kitchen waste." Filia giggled. "But in our case, I think it means 'I love you'." They both laughed. "I forgive you, Xelloss.... namagomi." They laughed again.
At the castle, Martina and Nahga were discussing royalty business. Nahga hadn't visited Sailune since her marriage to Prince Aristoriat of Panderan five years before. The products of their marriage sat before them in tunics, shorts, and boots, like little elves. Obedient boys and princes nonetheless. One had purple eyes and curly black hair framing his face, similar to Nahga, and the other had large hazel eyes and tannish hair stroked behind his ears; a perfect duplicate of his father. Elijah sat in front of them, playing with the purple haired boy's curls.
"Cute! Cute! Cute!" She giggled. She was nearing three, the boys were a little over four.
"Stawpit!" The boy yelled, bad temperedly. He pouted, folding his arms.
"Akhino, mommy is talking with the nice lady, shush." Nahga chided him.
"Elijah, why don't you play with Noko?" Martina suggested.
"Kay, mama!" She looked at the other boy. "CUTE!" She "octopussed" around him.
"Need.... air!" He giggled, and glomped her.
"Look, they get along so well." Nahga gestured. "Plus, wouldn't it end all this fighting between our countries? My eldest and your eldest?"
"Not right now, no!" Martina cried.
"No, as in later. When they're nearly grown." Nahga laughed.
"Well, of course. But we won't force it on them. Let them be friends." The women watched as Noko and Elijah began to play with a big ball, and smiled happily. "They're perfect."
Late that night, figures in entirely black cloaks slipped up to the castle. They didn't remove them until they reached a private library and parlor in the north wing in a tall tower. Zel stared at them impatiently.
"It's 9:01. You're all late." Lina, Gourry, Martina, Zangulus, Xelloss, Filia, Kinsei, and Elijah all took off their hoods and grinned sheepishly. Zelgadis locked the door. "How can you all be so bubbly when Amelia's in labor upstairs?!" He looked frustrated. "I need help here." He sunk down at his desk. Xelloss put a hand on Zel's shoulder.
"I'll show them what you've found, go join your wife." Zel sighed.
"Fine. Give them the straight facts." Zelgadis swept out hurriedly, obviously seeing the birth of his son as something of greater urgency than his friends. They all understood; Lina snorted, Xelloss smiled pleasantly, Filia sweatdropped, Martina and Zangulus were indifferent, and Gourry, Elijah, and Kinsei were absolutely clueless. The usual reactions, the expected ones.
"Anyway!" Xelloss chirped. "Zelgadis and I have done a good bit of research on Chimeras. It turns out that far up north, a four month trip by horse, there's some type of fairy spring. It's got fantastic powers, and only those with the purest intentions can ever find it." He looked up from the book at the group. "Healing your wife from a slow-killing disease is a pure intention, right?" The group unanimously nodded, except for two-year- old Kinsei, who simply yawned, eight-thirty being her usual bedtime. Filia rubbed Kinsei's head. "He'll be gone for a very long time: four months there, about 800,000 kilometers, four months back, same distance, with shortcuts included. Without shortcuts, it's an extra three weeks. It's almost the other side of the world." Everyone blinked. Lina finally sighed.
"Guys, over my lifetime I've travelled three times the world over. There was no fairy spring other than the eight known ones."
"You have to actually be looking for this one." Xelloss whispered eagerly, eyes alight. He obviously had a thing for fairies. "I've visited over 30 fairy springs, and you can't just run into them all. I've never had a reason to go to this one, but Zelgadis begged me to go alone. Of course, he's not going for a good while. He wants to spend time with his son first." Everyone nodded, consenting. "He'll need you bunch to take care of Amelia." Everyone consented again, excepting Elijah and Kinsei; Kinsei had gone dragon-form and curled up in a little ball, and Elijah was curled up against her, both asleep. "I hope Zelgadis takes advantage of the opportunity and undoes his chimera form. That heal-all spring water really does heal all." Xelloss smiled. "It'll be like a whole new Zel."
"I think I'll miss ol' rockface." Martina joked. Everyone but Gourry, Kinsei, and Elijah sweatdropped. Gourry had joined Kinsei and Elijah on the floor, and was sucking his thumb happily. Lina looked at Gourry, and kicked him awake.
"Stupid... " She grumbled as Gourry rolled over. "Well, we should go visit Amelia and Zel now." The entire group nodded, and Filia and Martina picked up their daughters and walked out.
Lina dragged Gourry up the stairs into the room where they knew Amelia would be. Lina had visited that lonely little apartment for two hours a day every day since she'd started bed-rest. Lina knew where every single thing was, as Lina would assist her whenever she needed something. Philionel had put her on various fatigue medicines: the last thing Lina would ever think Amelia would need. She stepped into the room, and was hit by the usual scent of strong herbs and warm mildew. A slight whiff of blood caught Lina's nose, making her shudder. Amelia seemed drugged, her hands folded across her chest. Zelgadis was holding a bundle of white blanket. A bit of light blue and purple peered out of a fold in the blanket. Filia held in a squeal and half attacked Zel for the blanket. He quickly passed it to her. Filia held up the baby. It was a little boy, with chimera skin, and wiry midnight blue hair. His eyes were wide, curious. He looked at each of the group in turn, and started crying. Zel panicked and grabbed the baby back.
"Don't, he's just a little baby!" He cuddled his son close to him. "Alionel is too weak to be held like that."
"Alionel?" Martina snickered. "Like PHILIONEL?" Zangulus joined her, snickering. Zel would have flushed, but he had more dignity than that.
"Amelia picked it last night... I just think that it's suitable that he's named after his grandfather and not mine. My grandfather was a disappointment." Zel narrowed his eyes, but smiled as he nestled his son on Amelia's chest. He kissed Amelia on the forehead.
"How cute..." Lina gushed suddenly. "He's perfect." Gourry smiled and nodded.
"He does look just like you, Zel." Xelloss simpered.
"I hate that." Zel sighed, touching one of the purple pebbles that dotted his son's face. "If there were one thing I could change..."
"He's perfect as he was made, Zel." Filia stated. "People are made as they are for a reason."
"If you say so... You guys oughta go. Ame and Alin need to rest." Zel smiled. "Say goodbye, Amelia."
Weakly, Amelia waved to the group. She'd just been lying there dazed, but was holding Alionel gently. She smiled too, and Zelgadis kissed her. The group all whispered their goodbyes, and filed out quietly.
When Gourry and Lina arrived home, the first thing they did was turn and look at each other, smiling.
"I love you, Lina Inverse-Gabriev."
"I love you, Gourry Gabriev."
"I love you more."
"Prove it." Lina stuck out her tongue.
"I'll meet you upstairs." He winked, and kissed her forehead. He walked up the stairs, and Lina went out to the porch. She stood on the sturdy wood of the porch, remembering how Gourry had poured himself into building it. She stared at the world around her, thinking of how everything had to be built up to make it right. She'd have to pour herself into her goal to make it work right. She stared up at the stars, thinking of the day she and Gourry first met, and added to her previous thought, a little luck always helps too. "Build it up and a little luck. Yeah." Clouds shifted, covering the moon. "Well, I guess I'll wait for the moon to uncover. That's always good luck." And she stayed outside all night, but the moon never uncovered. But every night, she'd wait for the moon. Even if it took her forever.
END TRILOGY SECTION 2
Nayru: I hope that was a nice enough recovery.
Xiao: Yeah, we do too.
Nayru: Anyway, expect "Last Tide" to be up in a week or so, when I type it. No flames this time, I really tried hard.
Ran-ran: Suuuure ya did.
Nayru: Review nicely, everyone!
Xiao: Peaceout wid da catlike, minna-san!
